Pneumatic dispatch and speaking tube system



2 Shet-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

B. J. P. GOODWIN. PNEUMATIC DISPATCH AND SPEAKING TUBE SYSTEM.

PatentedJuly 14, 1885.

N PETERS. Pinata-Lithographer. Wahlngiom ac.

(No Model.) 2 Sheet's- -Sheet 2.

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH AND SPEAKING TUBE SYSTEM.

Patented July. 14,1885

5o cashiers desk.

NITED STATES PATENT Grrieie.

RICHARD J. P. GOODVVIN, OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH AND SPEAKING TUBE SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 322,178, dated-July 14,1885.

Application filed September 4, 1884. (l l'o model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, RICHARD J. P. Goonwrn, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Manchester,in the county of Hillsborough and Stateof. New Hampshire, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inPneumatic Store- Servioe Apparatus; and I do declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others" skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters and figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part ofthis specification.

The object of this invention is to furnish a ready and rapid means ofcommunication by speech and conveyance between the cashier and salesmenin dry-goods and other stores where it has heretofore been customary toemploy cash-boys or messengers in order to facilitate the transaction ofbusiness.

My invention consists in certain peculiarities in the construction andcombination of the parts of a pneumatic cash and parcel transmittingapparatus and its accessories, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is aperspective view of my improved apparatus for transmitting parcels andcash-carriers by pnematic pressure or exhaust, the apparatus beingprovided with speaking-tube attachments. Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofthe apparatus in position beneath a store-counter. Fig. 3 is a frontView of a quadrilateral system of valved pipes placed between theair'pump and reservoir for con trolling the circulation of air. Fig. 4is avertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig.

5 is a longitudinal section of one of the receiving and transmittingboxes. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the same on the line a: w

' of Fig.5. Fig. 7 is a side view of the cash or parcel carrier, andFig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the same. c

Like letters of reference are used to indicate like parts in the severalviews.

A designates an air-tightreceiving and transmitting box that is locatedat the salesmans station, and B is a similar box located at the Theseboxes are connected by a pneumatic tube, 0, in which the parcel or cashcarrier is made to travel from one box to the other and back, asdesired.

It will be understood that a box, as A, is provided for each salesmanemployed in operating the system, and that the cashiers desk or stationis furnished with acorresponding number of similar boxes. The salesmansbox is preferably arranged immediately beneath a rectangular opening cutin the top of 6 the counter, with which the lid of the box may be flush,or the box may project slightly above the counter. The boxes atthecashiers station may be arranged in a similar or other convenientmanner, and are preferably dis.- 6 posed in a circle or semicirclearound the cashier, so that allwill be under his supervision with equalfacility and convenience. The boxes A B are each provided with a lid, a,in which is formed an opening or openings, b b, closed by a rotaryvalve, 0, by means of aturnbutton, d, on the outer side of the lid. Thislid is hinged near one end upon a transverse rod, 6, about which iswound a spiral spring,

f, one end of which'bears against the under 7 side of the lid, so as tocause it to fly open when the lid is unfastened. The lid when closed issecured by a spring bolt or catch,

on its inner side that communicates through a slot with a knob ordraw-button, h, by which the bolt can be drawn, so as to afford accessto the interior of the box.

In one end of each receiving and transmitting box A or B is a verticalmetallic bufter plate or partition, D, that extends across the 8 5 boxand is journaled at or near its upper third on horizontal pivotst'. Theupper part of this partition, on its inner side, is in contact with theend of the spring-bolt 9, while between its opposite side and the end ofthe box is in- 0 terposed a spiral spring, k, the contractile force ofwhich serves to hold the lower end of the partition in close contactwith a ledge,

m, that is formed in-the bottom of the box at one end of a concavetrough or guideway, G, 9 that communicates with the entrance of thepneumatic tube., When the cash or parcel carrier enters the box A or Bforcibly from the pneumatic tube, it traverses the trough G and impingesagainst the lower end of the rot pivoted partition D, the upper end'ofwhich is thus forced inward against the spring-bolt g, therebyunfastening the lid a and causing it to fly open under the action of itsspringhinge. The arrival of the carrier at its destination is thusannouncedQ As thelid a flies open the spring returns the partition D toits normal position. The hinged end of the lid a may be made to projectslightly beyond the box, so as to turn down into a recess or space atthe back or one end thereof when opened, the lid being thus braced orheld in a vertical position-until again closed.

The box A at each salesmans station or counter communicates with anair-reservoir, E, through a pipe or tube, F, that enters the side of thebox. This air chamber or reservoir is conveniently located beneath thecounter, and may be made of metal in a cylindrical or other suitableform to correspond with the space afforded by the situation in which itis placed. Atits upper part the reservoir E communicates through a pipe,G, with a quadrilateral system of valved pipes, H H, in which thecirculation of air is controlled both for propelling the carrier fowardto the box B 'by compressed air and for withdrawing or returning it tothe box A by means of an exhaust.

The construction of the quadrilateral circulation and the arrangement ofits valves are clearly shown in Fig. 4, in which I I indicate thethree-way cocks or valves, one of which is placed at the top and theother at the lower part of the system. A check-valve, K, is placed onone side of the upper three-way cock I, and a check-Valve, K, on theother side, the flap of the valve K being arranged to open toward thethree-way cock, while the flap of the Valve K opens away from said cock.

The ends ofthe quadrilateral H H are connected centrally by a pipeformed of short tubes H H that are united centrally by a union orcoupling, L, on either side of which is a check-valve, M and M, theflaps of which open in a direction opposite to those of the valves K K,beneath which they are placed. It will be seen that this quadrilateralsystem of pipes is composed of a number of short tubes connected by TS,bends, and valvecasings in a well-known manner, the connection of theparts being completed and facilitated by the employment of a union orright and-left-handscrew coupling, a, at the lower part of thequadrilateral, on one side.

The three-way cocks or valves I I are simultaneously actuated by meansof intermeshing gears N N, one of which is provided with a cranlchandle,wrench, or lever, N by which the gears and connected cocks can beoperated. The pipes H, H, H and H composing the quadrilateral,communicate with the atmosphere through an opening, 0, in the back ofthe union or box coupling L. They also communicate through a bent pipe,0, with an air-pump, P, which is preferably of the class known asdiaphragm-pumps. This dia phragm air-pump is placed beneath the counter,as shown in Fig. 2. Theupper part of the pump consists of a flangedmetallic dome, 19, that is supported on legs or standards pp, the flangep affording an attachment for the stays e e by which the air-chamber orreservoir E is supported. The lower part of the pump consists of acollapsible diaphragm or bag, f, composed of leather, rubber cloth, orother similar material, said diaphragm being connected to the flangesp", and provided at the bottom with a metallic disk or plate, 19*,

to the under side of which is attached a depending rod, This rod ishinged or jointed at its lower end to a foottreadle, Q, that isfulcrumed in a suitable stand; or, instead of the treadle, a hand-levermay be provided for operating the pump.

In order to assist the weighted disk p in expanding the pump-chamberduring the act of suction. a spring, 8, may be arranged in s iid chamberbetween the disk and the top of the dome. This spring may, however, bedispensed with, as the weight of the diaphragm p and attached disk 19 isordinarily sufficient to expand the internal area of the pumpchamber.

Each receiving and transmitting box A B is provided with a flexiblespeaking tube, R, in length about twenty-fourinches, (more or less,) oneend of the tube being made to communicate with the box or receiver atthe side opposite to the inletf of the pipe F, that connects with theair-reservoir. The free end of this speaking-tube is provided with amouthpiece, 1', a stopcock, t, and a whistle that is controlled by 'acrank, 12, in the usual manner.- These speaking-tubes are used forconveying verbal messages between the cashier and sales men, thewhistles serving as signals to attract attention, as hereinafterexplained.

The carriers S, which are used for the c011- veyance of money or smallparcels, have a cy lindrical form corresponding with that of thepneumatic tubes 0 through which they are passed, and are preferably madeflexible, so as to facilitate their passage around curves or bends insaid tubes.

Figs. 7 and 8 represent a flexible carrier composed of a number oftapering rings, TT, constructed of thin sheet metal. Near the edge ofeach ring,at its larger end or side, are out three slots, 15 t,equidistant from each other, and the smaller or tapering endof each ringis provided with three headed pins or studs tt, that correspond inposition with the slots of its fellow ring, to which it is by this meansadj ustably connected in such a manner as to impart the requisiteflexibility to the tube by permitting a slight rotation of the ringsupon each other. The end rings of the tube are made of somewhat thickerstock and have a screw-thread cut on their outer surface, to which theinternally-threaded cap or cover U is fitted, as shown in Fig. 8; or,instead of a screw-thread,the parts may be connected by a boss, '10, onthe collar or end ring, as shown in Fig. 7, for engaging an inclinedslot, 2, in the cap. The metallic caps or covers U U are provided withwashers V, of felt, leather, or other soft material. These washers arecut with a diameter slightly larger than that of the cap, so as tocompletely fill the pneumatic tube and serve as a packing to prevent thepassage of air past the carrier during its passage through the tube. Thewashers V are secured to the outer side or head ofthe cap U by means ofa metallic disk, W, and a knob-screw, Y, the shank of the knob-screwpassing through the disk, washers, and cap, and being secured on theinner side of the cap by a nut, Z, as shown in Fig. 8. It will thus beseen that should the washers at any time become worn they can be readilyremoved and new ones substituted. The washers being made of a softyielding substance and larger in diameter than the body of 'the carrier,causes the latter to be suspended, as it were, in the pneu,- matie tube,and thus obviates a large amount of friction that would otherwise beencoun tered. The carrier, being flexible, is enabled to turn readilyin. the curves of the pneumatic tube. These carriers may be of anyconvenient length, from three or four inches upward, according to thebulk of the intended contents. In diameter they are preferably about oneand threefourths of an inch.

It will be observed that the solidity of the knob Y at each end of thecarrier enables it to strike forcibly against the buffer-plate in thereceiving-box, and so renders the action of the plate against thespring-bolt certain and effective. As each end of the carrier isprovided with a detachable cap having such knob, it is immaterial whichend is propelled foremost. In case the carrier should accidentally stickin the pneumatic tube, it may be readily released by means of a wirecarrying a clutch for engaging the knob.

The pneumatic tubes for conveying the carriers are preferably what areknown as seamless brass tubes, and have a diameter of about two inches.These pneumatic tubes may be concealed beneath the counters or theflooring in any convenient manner, so as to avoid us ing space that ismore available for other purposes. 1

The cashiers desk, to which the various pneumatic tubes extend, may belocated in any part of the store orbuilding; but the receiving andtransmitting boxes located thereon are preferably arranged in such amanner that each one will be within easy reach at all times, onereceiving and transmitting box being required at the cashiers deskforeach and every salesman who actsas an operator of this system.

Whenever a salesman desires to make change, he opens his receiving andtransmitting box A by drawing back theknob h of the bolt 9. He thenremoves the carrier S, which is lying at rest in the box, unfastens thecap U, places the money in the carrier, closes it, and on returning itto the box A pushes it (the carrier) forward into the pneu? .foredescribed.

matic tube. He then shuts down the lid of the box A and sees that thevalve 0 is also closed, so that the box will be air-tight. He thenexamines the position of the wrench or lever N which indicates whetherthe three way cocks I I are so turned as to permit the passage ofcompressed air from thepump to the transmitting-box. If the wrench orleverN is in avertical or other predetermined position indicating aclear passageway through the pipes H, the salesman may operate the pumpat once. If not already so placed, he turns the lever N vertically,thereby simultaneously actuating the gearsN N and bringing the three-waycocks I I into the position shown in Fig. 4 for the passage ofcompressed air. ,He then proceeds to operate the air-pump P by means ofthe foot-treadleQ or a hand-lever, as the case. may be. Compressed airis thus driven through the pipes O H, past the checkyalve.

K, and through the pipe G into the reservoir or accumulator E, whence itpasses through the pipe F into the air-tight box A, and, impingingagainst the end of the carrier S, drives it forward through thepneumatic connecting or transmitting tube 0 and into the receiving box Bat the cashiers desk. The carrier enters this box rapidly and withconsiderable force, its under side traversing the groove or trough 0'till its forward end strikes against the lower end of the pivotedbuffer-plate or partition D, and causes the up per end thereof to forceback the spring-bolt g, thereby enabling the spring f to act upon andautomatically open the lid of the box B, and so attract the attention ofthe cashier.- It will be understood that during this operation the valve0 remains open in the lid of the cashiers box B, so that the airnormally contained in the tube 0 can escape in advance of the carrier.cashier has removed the carrier and replaced it in the box B with theproper change inclosed he shuts down the lid a and signals to thesalesman that his change is ready. This signal may be made by anyconvenient means or in any well-known or suitable manner; but I preferto use the flexible tubes R, that are connected with the receiving andtransmitting boxes, as before described. By blowing through his tube thecashier will be enabled to operate the whistle in the corresponding tubeat the station of the salesman, and so attract his attention. Thissignal being under stood by the salesman, he immediately reverses thepcsition of the three-way cocks I I,-so as to open communication throughthe exhaust side H of the quadrilateral circulation in which said valvesare placed. He then proceeds to operate the air-pump P as be- After thefore, which now rapidly exhausts the air concounter, the forcible entryofthe carrier into this box automatically raising its lid, as beandhanded it to the customer, the carrier is Having removed the'changereplaced in the box A, which is then closed till its use is againrequired.

It will be seen that when a Volume 'of compressed air is forced from thepump it passes upward through the pipe 0, and the threeway cocks beingproperly turned, asshown in Fig.4, its course is directed to the leftand upward through the pipe H to the check-valve K, which opens outwardtoward the pipe G, and so permits the current of compressed air to passinto the reservoir E, and thence into the box A and the pneumatic tubebeyond, as already described. As soon as the diaphragm of the pumpdescends under the action of the treadle or hand-lever, assisted by thespring 8 and weighted disk 12*, the check-valve M opens under thepressure of atmospheric air, which enters through the union L and passeson to the pump for the purpose of filling it again. WVhen the three-waycocks I I are reversed, the action of the pump in its expansion exhauststhe air in the boxes A B, reservoir E, and connecting-tubes. The currentof exhaust-air passes from the reservoir E through the pipes G and H,the flap of the valve K rising to permit its passage. When the treadleor hand-lever throws the diaphragm p upward, the air contained in thepump and in the right-hand side, H, of the quadrilateral is forced pastthe check-valve M, and makes its exit through the union L into theatmosphere. By the action of the pump P the air-contents of thereservoir E, boxes A B, and pneumatic tubes can thus be compressed orexhausted with facility according to the direction in which thethree-way 'cocks'are turned. The cash or parcel carrier is thuspropelled at pleasure, either by compressed air or by producing a vacuumin its path.

Should the cashier at any time desire to converse with a salesman, orvice versa, he closes the valve 0 in the cover of the receiving andtransmitting box, so as to render it airr I l tight. He then blowsthrough the mouthpiece of his speaking-tube, and thereby operates thewhistle of the speaking-tube connected with the box at the other end ofthat circuit. The attention of the salesman or the cashier, as the casemay be, being thus arrested, the parties proceed to converse throughtheir respective speaking-tubes, placing the same alternately to themouth and the car, as required. If necessary, a code of signals might beadopted, by which the cashier would readily comprehend which of theseveral salesmen was soliciting his attention.

An obvious advantage resulting from the combination of a speaking-tubeand pneumatic transmitting apparatus resides in the fact that by thismeans direct communication can be had in large establishments betweenthe cash ier or superintendent and the various employs, as well asindirectly between the latter. In a dry-goods store, for instance, aladywhile purchasing at one department may desire to obtain some articleembraced in a different and perhaps distant department of theestablishment. Without undergoing the fatigue of ascending severalflights of stairs or walking the length of the store-room she maycommunicate her wishes to the attending salesman, who then notifies thecashier or superintendent through the medium of the speaking-tubes R R,as already described. The cashier communicates in the same manner withthe proper department, and has the de sired article, if not of too greatbulk, sent to him through the pneumatic tubes, and he in turn transmitsit in the same way to the salesman, thus speedily accommodatingthe-customer and retaining trade that otherwise might have goneelsewhere.

By making the pneumatic tubes and the carriers of sufficient length anddiameter it is obvious that small parcels as well as cash can thus bereadily transported about the building with great dispatch and withoutthe many vexations, annoyances, and delays that frequently result fromthe employment of messengers.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In apneumatic store-service apparatus, a quadrilateral system ofpipes communicating with the atmosphere and provided with check-valvesand three-way cocks, whereby it is adapted to control the circulationbetween a pneumatic tube and an air-pump, substantially as described.

2. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, a receiving and transmittingbox communicating with a pneumatic tube and provided with a pivotedpartition or buffer-plate, and a lid having a spring-hinge and a springbolt or fastening, said bolt being arranged on the inner side of the lidin position to be unfastened by theimpact of a cash or parcel carrieragainst the pivoted partition or buffer-plate, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, a receiving and transmittingbox, as A or B, having a lid provided with valve a, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, the receiving andtransmitting box A or B, provided at the bottom with a groove or trough,G, that is continuous with a pneumatic tube, a partition orbuffer-plate, D, pivoted in the end of the box opposite to itsconnection with the pneumatic tube and at the end of said trough, and alid, 01, having a spring-hinge and a spring bolt or fastening on itsinner side in contact with the buffer-plate, substantially as described.

'5. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus,a receiving and transmittingbox having an outward-opening spring-hinged lid, in combination withdevices for automatically opening said lid by the entrance into the boxof a carrier, and means for holding said lid in an erect position tillclosed by the operator, substantially as described.

6. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus,

a pneumatic tube for connecting said boxes,

of a speaking-tube attached to each box and provided with a mouth-piece,a cock, and a whistle, substantially as described.

7. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, the combination,withreceiving and transmitting boxes located at the cashiers desk andsalesnlans station, respectively, and connected by a pneumatic tube, ofan air-reservoir,an air-pump, and means, as specified, for controlling acirculation of air, whereby a cash or parcel carrier may be propelledinone direction by a currentof compressed air and returned in theopposite direction by means of an exhaust, substantially as described.

8. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, the reservoir or accumulatorE, connected to a transmitting-box by means of a pipe, F, in combinationwith an air-pumpand a system of valved pipes for inducing andcontrolling a current of compressed or exhaust air, as required,substantially asdescribed.

9. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, a quadrilateral system ofpipes, H H H H connected by Ts and bends and provided with abox-coupling, L, that communicates with the atmosphere, three-way cocksI I, and check-valves K K M M, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

10. In a pneumatic store-service apparatus, the combination of the boxesA B, pneumatic tube 0, pipe F, reservoir E, quadrilateral valvedcirculation H H, pipes G 0., and dia-

